102 Media Outlets Send Letter in Support of Journalists in Gaza

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Leaders of 102 news organizations have sent an open letter as a display of solidarity with journalists working in Gaza. Tempo also lent its support to this initiative, represented by the CEO of Tempo Digital, Wahyu Dhyatmika.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), with support from the Association for International Broadcasters and the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), coordinated the letter dated Wednesday, March 6, 2024. 

The initiative aims to demonstrate resolute support for journalists in Gaza, who are covering “the deadliest conflict for journalists ever documented by CPJ.”

According to the CPJ, at least 95 journalists have lost their lives during the Israeli attack on Gaza, with 90 of them being Palestinians who fell victim to Israeli military forces.

“We, the undersigned, stand united with Palestinian journalists in their call for safety, protection, and the freedom to report,” the open letter begins.

Signatories to the letter comprise news outlets from various countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, India, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“These journalists – on whom the international news media and the international community rely for information about the situation inside Gaza – continue to report despite grave personal risk,” as read in the letter.

The letter also calls on Israeli authorities to afford journalists the same protection as non-combatants under international law, while holding those responsible for any violations of that longstanding protection accountable. 

“Attacks on journalists are also attacks on truth. We commit to championing the safety of journalists in Gaza, which is fundamental for the protection of press freedom everywhere,” the letter also said.

Some of the significant media organizations whose leaders signed the open letter include the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, the Indonesian news organizations participating in the letter include the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) President Sasmito and Tempo Digital CEO Wahyu Dhyatmika. 

NABIILA AZZAHRA 

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